Feb 13, 2025 5 min read Archive

And the happiest dental employee is...

Are you the happiest person in your office? A recent report from Dentistry IQ can tell you what the odds are based on your job title at your dental practice. Read on for what else that report found. But first: Find out what drove this woman to pull out her own teeth.

In today's newsletter:

🔷 A bright aesthetic brings dental practice social clout
🔷 The new dual degree for dentist entrepreneurs
🔷 Helping patients overcome financial obstacles to care
🔷 Tooth replacement science is breaking through

Dr. Kemia Zeinali, DDS, the founder of pediatric practice Dreamhouse Dental in Bell Gardens, Calif., loves a bright aesthetic. Pops of color and whimsical elements like hearts and bubbles painted on her practice walls have kept her roster full—and have helped her develop a large social media presence with a mix of educational and aesthetic content.

On Instagram, @dreamhousedental has 17.5K followers, and her TikTok content has garnered 10,000+ likes. So how does all of that factor into her business goals and values as a pediatric dentist? Dr. Zeinali spoke with Dental Bite about her strategy and the bright future she envisions for her practice and patients.

How do you use in-office moments to engage with your social media followers?

We love putting our patients in the spotlight by sharing moments of joy, laughter and comfort. Seeing real families enjoying their visits resonates with our audience and helps potential patients feel at ease before they even enter our doors. Engagement is key for us, and we make sure to respond to every comment and message to build a sense of community and trust. This not only boosts our visibility but also strengthens relationships with our patients, making them feel heard and valued.

Why is social media such a push for your practice?From the very beginning, we knew that connecting with our local community would be essential for our practice. We love hosting community events that extend beyond our patient base, like character days, toy drives and other family-friendly gatherings where the community is invited. Social media was one of the first things we implemented upon opening, creating a way to engage with families, build relationships and showcase the unique experience of our practice.

How do you balance your clinical work and your social media work?Having an incredible team at Dreamhouse has made all the difference. Content creation is a collective effort, so every team member chips in to capture moments, brainstorm ideas and keep things fresh. Making it a joint effort helps us to stay consistent on social media without it becoming overwhelming, so I can continue to focus on delivering the best care to our patients.

What advice do you have for other dentists who want to build a social media presence?Go for it! Yes, it is a time commitment and takes time to build, but the impact on your patient relationships and business growth is invaluable. Social media allows you to showcase your personality, your distinct approach to care and what makes your practice special. As a small business in the larger Los Angeles area, this type of connection makes a huge difference in incoming patients. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have been game-changers in helping us connect with local families.

Above: A patient at Dreamhouse Dental sits for an exam in a bright and cheery space. (Courtesy of DreamhouseDental.com)

What's on our radar: The University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Nebraska Medical Center launched a new dual degree for dentists with business aspirations. Students will be able to earn their DDS degrees and MBAs through the program.

What we are listening to: A hygienist-free practice? It's possible, and this episode of the Dental A Team Podcast shares the "how."

What we are looking forward to: The Dental VIP Summit will kick off in Chicago on Feb. 19. The event will feature presentations by clinical leaders, investors and industry executives on innovation and the future of dentistry.

Did you know? The American Dental Association Foundation's Give Kids a Smile program has been providing free services to underserved children for 23 years. Since the initiative started, it has provided oral health care to more than 9.5 million kids.

Who are the happiest people in the dental profession?

Which roles in a dental practice enjoy the highest levels of career satisfaction? Who is less likely to be happy in their role? Dentistry IQ digs into dentistry career satisfaction with data from its recent salary survey. Spoiler alert: The report finds that dental associates and assistants tend to be the least satisfied in their careers.

Why it matters: Understanding trends in job satisfaction can help dentists evaluate any potential issues in their careers as they consider their next move. For practice owners, staff retention is important. Understanding and addressing where people may be unhappy can mean lower turnover. (Dentistry IQ)

Helping patients overcome financial barriers to dental care

Costs to patients are a considerable challenge in dentistry. A significant portion of adults will delay or even skip dental care entirely due to the financial burden. Ricardo Mitrani, DDS, writes about the financial obstacles uninsured and insured patients face. Dentists can help patients get access to the care that they need by helping them understand their benefits, offering financial transparency and providing payment options.

Why it matters: Putting off or skipping dental care can negatively affect patients' health and lead to even more costly care needs. Dentists can help their patients avoid those consequences by taking a proactive approach to their financial barriers. (Dental Economics)

Will scientists soon be able to grow tooth replacements?

A Tufts University study released in December details how scientists were able to grow human-like, living teeth in pigs' mouths. Pamela Yelick, PhD, led the study, which involved combining living tissue from human and pig teeth. The research potentially lays the groundwork for living tooth replacements in human patients.

Why it matters: Implants and dentures are the current solutions for patients with tooth loss. Growing living replacements would not only be ideal for chewing and other natural mouth functions but could change the game in tooth replacement forever. (NPR)